UK IP industry welcomes Chris McDonald MP as new IP minister

Image: GovUK

Intellectual Property in the UK has a new government minister, Chris McDonald MP, after his appointment as Minister of State (Minister for Science, Innovation, and Investment) following Andy Burnham being named the Prime Minister in July 2026. 

His role straddles two ministries - the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST), which took over most of the responsibilities of the old Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). 

McDonald’s official appointment as the minister with responsibility for IP was only published on August 21, 2026, and follows a brief period when it was unclear where responsibility for IP would lie.  

The previous minister for IP, Kanishka Narayan, was given a new brief, Minister of State (Minister for Artificial Intelligence) jointly in the Cabinet Office and DBIST on July 20, 2026. 

Kanishka Narayan’s new job, which also sees him attend cabinet, has been welcomed by observers and the media as a step up for how Whitehall treats AI. As this article from Sifted says: 

“Narayan will also attend cabinet, a move which represents a significant elevation for the AI brief inside Whitehall. The move appears intended to signal that AI is now being treated as a cross-government priority, akin to national security or economic strategy, with decision making taking place closer to the prime minister.” 

Chris McDonald was elected as the MP for Stockton North in July 2024. Before becoming an MP, he spent 20 years working in the steel industry, with a focus on research.  

He studied Chemical Engineering at Cambridge, graduating with BA and MEng degrees, and went on to complete an MBA at the University of Warwick. His work career began in 2008, when he became a laboratory manager within the research division of Tata Steel. In 2014 he led the divestment of the Materials Processing Institute from Tata Steel UK, becoming CEO. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. 

McDonald will be the 16th person to act as minister responsible for IP in the UK Government; the first, nearly 20 years ago in 2007, was Lord Triesman, appointed by then Prime Minister Gordon Brown. 

Adam Williams, CEO of the UK Intellectual Property Office, said: 

“I am looking forward to working for Chris McDonald MP as the Minister with responsibility for intellectual property within the newly formed Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade. IP is central to the UK’s creative and innovative strengths, helping people and businesses protect ideas, attract investment, and bring new products, services, and content to market.” 

IP industry bodies have also welcomed McDonald’s appointment.  

Simon Wright, President of the UK’s Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) said:  

“We are pleased to see responsibility for intellectual property sitting with a Minister of State, and particularly one with such a strong scientific, engineering, research and business background… [who] understands from experience how research and innovation translate into commercial success, and the important role intellectual property plays in that process.” 

Wright adds: 

“We have been vocal about the need for greater continuity and stronger policy leadership for intellectual property across government. A Minister of State with innovation in the job title and a strong understanding of the industries and businesses our members work with is a very positive development.” 

Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys President Daniel Hardman-Smart said: 

“We welcome Mr McDonald to the role and look forward to working with him. The UK is a world-leader for the protection of intellectual property, but with ongoing challenges around unusual filing patterns and tribunal delays there is work to be done to maintain this footing.”